Management of long-standing unexplained infertility: A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to evaluate a protocol for the management of long-standing unexplained infertility.

STUDY

DESIGN

A prospective study was conducted at an in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer center with 485 patients with the diagnosis of long-standing unexplained infertility. Patients were treated by means of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and intrauterine insemination for a maximum of 3 cycles. Those who did not become pregnant underwent in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection on sibling oocytes.

RESULTS

Among 485 patients, 921 cycles of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and intrauterine insemination were performed. The pregnancy rate was 15.7% per cycle and 29.8% per patient. Among those who did not become pregnant, 131 patients underwent in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection into sibling oocytes; 48 women became pregnant (36.7%). There was total failure of the in vitro fertilization oocytes in 23 cycles (17.6%).

CONCLUSION

Management of long-standing unexplained infertility with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and intrauterine insemination resulted in a reasonable pregnancy rate. Treatment by means of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection into sibling oocytes among patients who did not become pregnant resulted in a good pregnancy rate. The overall results showed that the proposed protocol for management of unexplained infertility is satisfactory.